Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters

1
Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters
Youre driving home when a sudden thunderstorm
strikes and visibility is drastically reduced.
Situations like this can occur without warning.
Careful planning and preparation can help you
survive weather emergencies and natural disasters.
2
Lesson Objectives
In this lesson, you will learn to

• Develop strategies to prevent accidental injuries
  during severe weather and natural disasters
• Examine the ways in which technology can increase
  the survival rate during a severe weather event
• Identify safety procedures that should be
  followed during a severe weather event or natural
  disaster

3
Severe Weather
Watching Out for Severe Weather

• When severe weather threatens, the National
  Weather Service (NWS) uses the media to issue
  watches and warnings.
• A watch means that the weather conditions are
  right for a specific weather event to occur.
• A warning means that severe weather has been
  sighted and is heading toward your area.

4
Severe Weather
Emergency Survival Preparation

• Discuss with your family where to go during an
  emergency,
• where to meet if family members get separated,
  and whom
• to contact if help is needed.
• Prepare an emergency survival kit with supplies
  such as
• Water and food
• Phone, radio, lighting, and blankets
• Medications and money

5
Severe Weather
Types of Severe Weather
6
Severe Weather
Hurricanes

• If a hurricane watch is issued
• Secure your property.
• Bring in items from outside that may blow away in
  strong winds.
• Board up windows and doors.
• Tape any glass you are unable to cover.
• If a hurricane warning is issued, seek shelter.
  Evacuate if
• the NWS instructs you to do so.

7
Severe Weather
Floods

• If a flood is likely to occur
• Listen to radio bulletins while you watch for
  rising water, and be prepared to evacuate.
• Before leaving, turn off the utilities in your
  home.
• Never walk, swim, ride a bike, or drive a car
  through flood waters. Both drowning and
  electrocution are risks in flooded areas.
• Drink only bottled water because floods can
  pollute the water supply.

8
Severe Weather
Flash Floods

• If you are in an area that is under a flash flood
  warning
• Leave low-lying areas immediately.
• Do not attempt to drive through floodwaters or to
  cross police barricades.
• Stay away from streams, creeks, storm drains, and
  irrigation ditches, all of which become
  treacherous during flash floods.

9
Severe Weather
Severe Thunderstorms

• When a thunderstorm is approaching
• If you are on the water, go to shore.
• If you are outdoors, get inside or take shelter
  to avoid being struck by lightning.
• Stay away from tall structures and trees because
  lightning is attracted to tall objects.
• Do not use computers, telephones, or televisions
  during a severe thunderstorm.

10
Severe Weather
Tornadoes

• If you are outside or in a car when a tornado
  approaches
• Seek shelter inside a sturdy building or lie down
  in a ditch or low-lying area.
• Protect your head with your hands.
• If you are indoors, stay away from the windows.
• A storm cellar, basement, or crawl space is the
  safest place to be.
• As a last resort, get under a piece of heavy
  furniture and hold onto it.

11
Severe Weather
Winter Storms

• A severe winter storm called a blizzard is common
  in the
• northern areas of the United States.
• To protect yourself during blizzards and other
  winter storms
• Stay inside.
• Wear protective clothing.
• Avoid getting lost.

12
Earthquakes
Safeguarding Against Earthquakes

• Earthquakes are most common west of the Rocky
  Mountains.
• In the event of an earthquake
• If you are inside a building, stand or crouch in
  a strongly supported doorway, brace yourself in
  an inside corner of the building, or get under a
  piece of sturdy furniture.
• If you are outdoors, stay away from buildings,
  trees, and power lines.
• Use caution after the tremors have stopped, and
  be prepared for aftershocks.

13
Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.

1. Severe weather
2. Tornados
3. Blizzards
4. Earthquakes

Q. ___________ refers to harsh or dangerous
weather conditions.
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Quick Review - Answer
A. 1. severe weather Severe weather refers to
harsh or dangerous weather conditions.
Click Next to attempt another question.
15
Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q. An emergency survival kit is a group of items
that can be used for a long period of time until
an emergency situation has stabilized.

True
False
16
Quick Review - Answer
A. False. An emergency survival kit is a group
of items that can be used for a short period of
time until an emergency situation has stabilized.
Click Next to attempt another question.
17
Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q. A hurricane and a tornado are different. A
hurricane is a powerful storm that originates at
sea, characterized by winds of at least 74 miles
per hour, heavy rains, flooding, and sometimes
tornadoes. A tornado is a whirling,
funnel-shaped windstorm that drops from the sky
to the ground and produces a narrow path of
destruction on land.

True
False
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Quick Review - Answer
A. True. A hurricane and a tornado are different.
A hurricane is a powerful storm that originates
at sea, characterized by winds of at least 74
miles per hour, heavy rains, flooding, and
sometimes tornadoes. A tornado is a
whirling, funnel-shaped windstorm that drops from
the sky to the ground and produces a narrow path
of destruction on land.
Click Next to attempt another question.
19
Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q. A tornado is approaching your home, but
available strategies to prevent accidental
injuries during severe weather is not part of
governmental policy.

True
False
20
Quick Review - Answer
A. False. If a tornado is approaching your home,
available strategies to prevent accidental
injuries during severe weather is part of
governmental policy.
Click Next to attempt another question.
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End of Lesson 4
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